Bits and pieces.

I had the opportunity to stop at the Bailey Tract in between days of working with the Sea Turtles and with the Shell Museum - I was rewarded with the sighting of.....

a beautiful Summer Tanager who was feasting on the berries of the Fig Tree.

Within that cluster of Fig Trees was a mini warbler frenzy - I could hardly keep up with them and trying to i.d. them as they flitted by quickly.

In the distance I spotted this Mockingbird which I thought odd because of its brown color but a good source assured me that it was a youngster - I learn something new every day!

A beautiful male Osprey watched us as we went by.

Look at this Anole and how it is color-morphing, just AWEmazing.

A pair of Gulf Frittilary flew by and landed long enough for good views and photos too.

Great views of the outer and inner coloring.

Our last sighting was this Marsh Rabbit that had this huge growth under its chin, he hopped and grazed in a normal manner though - so that was good. You just never know what you'll come across when out in the natural world.

 

Bald Eagle meet Red-shouldered Hawk

The thing about birding is that you never know what you're going to get....you can plan all you want but the end results are often filled with surprises, today was no exception.

I had planned to park on Island Inn Road and go through the Sanibel Garden Preserve with the hopes of finding some Swallow-tailed Kites first but a gate was put up and I couldn't drive through - plan B - park at the Bailey Tract parking lot and walk through...no problem.

The sun was just starting to come up on the horizon and it cast a beautiful glow on the Coot, making its red eye shine.

I made it to the Sanibel Garden Preserve and I discovered this lovely pair of Red-bellied Woodpecker, it must be nesting season because I came across many pairs after these two.

"I got your back, honey."

Not too far from the tower I saw a Blue Jay doing a poor imitation of a Red-shouldered Hawk.

An Eastern Phoebe was basking in the sun in between insect dives.

Awwww! I finally got to see one - not quite where I had anticipated but quite happy regardless. What a beauty these Swallow-tailed Kites are - they are arriving from Brazil and will spend the spring into summer while raising their youngs.

On my way to the Bailey Tract I always make a point to stop at my magic tree to see what is happening there - today a Bald Eagle landed and posed - how lucky is that!

Seems like he had unwanted company hanging around.

I watched as this scenario unfolded time and time again....a brief period of stillness until the Red-Shouldered Hawk would return and dive bomb the Eagle.

Always coming very close but never touching each other.

And another....

and at some point the hawk gave up harassing the eagle and/or the eagle left before anymore encounters.

That really made for an exciting 5 minutes - and some fresh material to share with the folks that I meet up along the trails at the Bailey Tract.

A Pied-billed Grebe - he will soon leave to make the journey back north and get nesting underway.

A colorful Pileated Woodpecker lady.

Check the hair style!

And last but not least - a Northern Mockingbird perched by my car while I was chatting with a lovely couple about - what else - birds!...which led to butterflies, bobcats and oh the places we go....oh my! Happy Sunday all!

 

The early riser gets the bird

I just love this time of the year, the sky is clearer and the air is cooler - there are more birds and the trail is still quiet.

My visit to the Bailey Tract and the Sanibel Garden Preserve this morning provided nice surprises.

Doesn't this Mockingbird look lovely as he is being kissed by the morning light?

I guess I could say the same about this Eastern Phoebe, his song was a nice bonus too.

Several White Ibis adopted this bare tree, the Osprey decided it was just too crowded and left.

I liked how the clouds/humidity started to move in the area - it sure created interesting hues in the vista.

A young Bald Eagle perched on the tower - which provided me the answer as to why all of a sudden all the birds left.

When the dust settled a few unknowing Eurasian Collared Doves came to roost nearby.

On my way back I stumbled upon a House Wren right out in the open, he had the better viewing side.

A regal Merlin digesting his dragonfly.

You know the ducks are underway when you see a nice crowd of Blue-winged Teal.....I'm ready.

 

A migration warm-up

Since I have flipped the calendar page over to August - I've noticed quite a bit of change in our bird population....and that is a good thing. The shorebirds are arriving regularly and some of the migrants are popping up in different places. A visit to the Bailey Tract brought some nice surprises.

More activities was taking place in the trees - birds I hadn't seen for several months....

and ducks too!! A flock of Blue-winged Teal took flight from the Mangrove pond.

The Common Gallinule are back too after being absent for a bit..

A young Mockingbird venturing out and testing his wings of freedom.

Wildflowers were abundant and very happy with all the rain that we've had lately.

A Green Heron fixed on his next meal.

Oh, what a nice surprise!! An Orchard Oriole!

And an Eastern Kingbird! Migration is starting to warm up nicely and I'm ready. My E-bird list for today.

 

Summer regulars

Some unexpected bonus time came my way this morning - so, what's a girl to do!! Aha! Go birding, of course.

I made my way into the Bailey Tract - first sighting....

The Mottled Duck family - I'm glad to see that most of the ducks are still around.

Across the way - an adult Little Blue Heron and a Tricolored Heron - they were watching a gator swim away.

A White Peacock butterfly landed right in front of me and sat still, sweet! After a bit, I followed my ears to the Island Inn Road - at first I thought it was kids imitating distant sirens only to realized that it was a family of Coyotes! Sorry, no pics....maybe next time.

At this point I decided to step into the Sanibel Garden Preserve - a Black-Crowned Night Heron was silently fishing in a dark corner.

As I'm rounding the corner - things starts to heat up some....a juvenile Little Blue Heron (above) and an immature Little Blue Heron (below).

A whole family of Tricolored Heron - unusual sighting, for sure.

As I continued forward - white birds became a dime a dozen - Great Egret (above) and Snowy Egret (below).

The water levels seemed to be just right for the waders and the fish were plentiful. Bird happy, fish....not so much.

Down the hatch.

Above my head, a family of Swallow-tailed Kites were whistling while swooping and gliding gracefully.

A young Mockingbird seemed to enjoy the aerial display as well.

This was a great morning and the heat is telling me it's time to return home....I chose this shady trail within the Bailey Tract to take me back....

The End.